Jamaica or St. Thomas?
 

Hi, We've been to Swept Away in Negril a couple of times but were thinking of making a change. We're just looking for a little something different to do. We're a little older and not into beach sports. I was in St. Thomas many years ago and liked the beaches, food, and shopping. I've heard Marriott's Morning Star is nice. How far is this from town? Any problems with crime? Any other suggestions would be great (not looking for a long cab ride to town, anything walking distance would be great.) Thanks.

Morningstar is excellent (probably St. Thomas' second best hotel, after the Ritz) and very close to town. Beach is nice but often not very calm - there are several more protected beaches on the island.

It's a short cab ride (or hotel shuttle) to town, but not really walkable. There are several hotels right in town, but none with a beach.

Crime is somewhat of a concern on St. Thomas. Most of it doesn't effect tourists, but there are exceptions. I wouldn't wander around after dark - just take a taxi to a restaurant, if you wish, and then a taxi back to the hotel.

We would like a protected beach. Which would you recommend?

You micht check out Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. Small, charming, intimate, private protected beach.

I have heard that both Secret Harbour and Sapphire Beach resorts have nice beaches with good snorkeling. The best beaches like Magens Bay do not have hotels on them, that I know of. Many people also love Coki.

Secret Harbour is very protected but the accommodations really aren't on the same level as Morningstar. It is a condo complex, well-regarded, but fairly simple.

Sapphire is a very nice beach (we stayed there recently), not quite as calm as Secret Harbour. Magens and Coki are protected but hotel-less.

I suspect the beach at the Ritz may be calmer than Morningstar but I didn't get a close look at it.

Of course, you could forget about all this and stay at Caneel Bay on St. John, with seven beaches to choose from, but you won't be close to shopping.

If you're OK with the prices at Caneel Bay, it is laid back beachfront paradise. Their boat goes back and forth to Charlotte Amalie several times a day for shopping.

Actually, Caneel Bay is very close to Mongoose Junction which offers a variety of very nice stores and restaurants. The small town of Cruz Bay is as nice and safe as anywhere in the Caribbean. Dependent upon what time of year you're going, Caneel Bay also offers discounts and specials as well. Some people don't appreciate the simplicity of its elegance, but I don't understand how they can overlook the amazing experience of being in a place with 1000 years of human history, dining in a 200 year old sugar mill, and enjoying 7 gorgeous Caribbean beaches...and that's just the resort.

As much shopping as I do I might sink the boat on the way back to St. John. I stayed at Secret Harbor many years ago. It's a little too far from town.
I guess if I want nice calm water I'll have to give up the shopping and go back to Swept Away or maybe try the Jamaica Inn. Thank you all for your help.

Do try the Jamaica Inn. It's a lovely property.

FYI...it is often on Luxury Link.

The food at JI is really outstanding, as is the staff.

Marion

I was interested in the questions and responses on this post, so I hope you don't mind my jumping in here. I agree totally with every comment that was made (what excellent advice!) about the properties I know. (Secret Harbor,Caneel, Swept Away) Here's my question: We stayed at Swept Away 10-15 years ago and liked it very much. It was our first trip to Jamaica, and we would have liked to return since there were so many things about it that we enjoyed. But 2 things kept us from going back: the stinging jellyfish (we were there in the winter) and the fact that there wasn't great snrkeling from the beach at or near Swept Away. We go to the Caribbean every other year or so and it's the first time we encountered the stingers. Was our experience at Jamaica unusual, or do those waters for some reason get more jellyfish? Are there resorts on that island of the quality of Caneel or Swept Away (we like Caneel better) that have quite good snorkeling off the beach? Thanks very much-- and please pardon the jumping in.